On the church’s Facebook page there is a daily quote for people to contemplate. One day this past week the quote was by Mahatma Gandhi. The quote said: “No human being is so bad as to be beyond redemption.” That quote got some reaction considering the actions of war against Ukraine by the Russian president Vladimir Putin. Some wondered if that was true . . . that even Putin could be redeemed? Also, over the past couple of weeks there have been requests for prayer for Putin . . . that he have a change of heart and stop the evil he has inflicted. Though not spoken out loud, I imagine there were thoughts floating around about whether even prayer could help Putin.
Vladimir Putin is not a popular person. He does not rank high on most people’s lists of admired people. Instead, he is being called the epitome of evil for waging war on Ukraine. Never a popular person in the United States, he has succeeded in extending that across the world. He is despised. Which raises the question of whether there is hope for him . . . that he can be redeemed . . . that he can see the light . . . that he can be saved.
I don’t know.
But this raises a bigger question . . . if he were saved, would we believe it? Would we trust him?
Again, I don’t know.
Our scripture reading this morning talks about a redemption story . . . the story of Saul who becomes Paul. As far as the followers of Jesus were concerned, Saul was a despicable character. A “bad guy” as far as they were concerned. We are told in the Book of Acts that “. . . Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” Saul had appointed himself a persecutor of those who were followers of Jesus . . . those who proclaimed themselves of “the Way”. He went around persecuting and arresting followers having them punished even to the point of death. He was not popular . . . he was feared.
Yet, we know that Saul is redeemed . . . that he is saved . . . that he becomes Paul . . . and becomes a leader among the disciples of Jesus. The Book of Acts tells us this. He is riding along the road to Damascus when suddenly a light flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. He hears a voice asking, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” It is the voice of Jesus.
Blinded, he is told to get up and go to Damascus and wait for instructions. For three days he sits in the darkness. In the meantime, a disciple named Ananias is given a vision. In the vision he is told to go and place his hands upon Saul to restore his sight. Now you would think that Ananias would jump right up and go do what he is told to do . . . but, no! Ananias is taken back . . . he is shocked. He knows the reputation of Saul and he wants nothing to do with him. He argues and he is told: “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” Though he does as he is told, I imagine he went to Saul with trepidation and fear in his heart . . . after all, this is Saul we are talking about.
Ananias does as he is told. He placed his hands on Saul and he is healed of his blindness. He was baptized and after several days with other disciples he went out and began preaching the Good News of Jesus. Thus, it was that the meanest, toughest, despised persecutor of the followers of Jesus becomes a leading disciple.
Can you believe it?
Sure, we can because we know the story. We get the benefit of knowing the story and not having to experience it for ourselves . . . of having to be there while it was happening. Had we been there—and not knowing how it all ends, could we believe that Saul was redeemed? Would we trust Saul turned Paul? Would we jump on the bandwagon with him? Or, knowing what we know of his reputation, view him with some wariness? Would we still walk a wide path around him?
What would you do?
As I said, we know the story. We know of Paul’s ministry. We know of his impact on the early church. The guy becomes a saint! As far as we, who know the story, are concerned . . . Paul was redeemed. He became a “good guy”. But we weren’t there.
I would say that Paul’s ministry was rocky and tough. He was not well-received in the beginning. Those in the synagogues that he preached at ignored what he had to share . . . some even kicked him out. Thus, he takes the Good News to the Gentiles . . . a people who have no real clue as to who he was or is. Even those who were Jesus’ original disciples did not receive him with open arms . . . they seemed to always be leery of Paul and his ministry—unless he was bearing money for the church in Jerusalem. Remember that Paul always seemed to be arguing his credentials to prove that he was redeemed and belonged.
Paul’s story is an Easter story . . . a story of resurrection, redemption, and new life. We know it as we have heard the story of God’s grace and love through Jesus for Paul. Paul came to see. In seeing he lived for God and God’s Kingdom. We know the story. God’s grace and love are such a powerful mystery that even the most despicable can be redeemed . . . or so it seems.
But can a person like Vladimir Putin be redeemed?
I don’t know. On the surface—as a follower of Jesus, I imagine that I would hope so because that would be the right thing to do. But deep down—if we are going to be honest . . . well, that is a different story. I’m not sure I believe that Putin deserves redemption. But that is not mine to decide . . . that is God’s to decide.
If redeemed, would I open my arms and embrace Putin in welcome to God’s family? Would I believe that he had changed . . . that he could be trusted? Again, on one hand—on the surface I imagine I could fake it; while on the other hand I’d keep that guy as far away from me as I can. It is human nature and we all would.
Redemption is in the hands of God and God offers it equally to all of God’s children. It is not up to any of us whether we understand it or not. That is the beauty and grace of the Easter story . . . we can all have our resurrection encounter . . . we can all be redeemed no matter who we are. We can receive the grace and love of God as demonstrated through Jesus. And it does not matter how good or bad we think or feel we are . . . God loves us. It is our choice.
God’s grace and love is a mystery. We do not always understand it or agree with it. It is not ours to give, but only to receive and in return share it with others. Saul did not understand it, but he was never the same after he received it . . . the old died and the new was born . . . resurrection! That is the power and mystery of Easter. May we all remember our own Easter stories and encounters . . . and may we give thanks that we have been chosen to take our place in the family of God. Amen.
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